The Athlete

by Elin Peer

  “That’s true. It was a fun cultural experience and I enjoyed meeting his friends and family very much.”

  “Hunter, why did you bring Emanuela?”

  “I brought both her and Council Member Jonah Cervicci because they both expressed a desire to experience our culture.”

  “Emanuela, would you say that you and Hunter have become friends?”

  “Yes.”

  Hunter leaned forward. “Close friends.”

  Another journalist asked. “Now that Hunter has played in the Motherlands, is there any chance that you’ll go and play in the Northlands?”

  I didn’t get a chance to answer before Hunter’s voice cut through. “No!”

  “Why not?”

  “It would be too dangerous. Soccer is different and much more aggressive and physical in the Northlands.”

  “Hunter is right. I played a bit with some of the male guests at Hunter’s sister’s wedding and they play dirty. Not with me but with each other. I don’t think I’d enjoy playing soccer up north.”

  “Can you tell us what’s in the future for your team and for you as players?”

  With a soft smile on my lips, I answered, “Well, we’re just going to focus on this season and hopefully play the best soccer of our careers, and then we’re going to take it from there. Since Hunter and I are roommates we’ll have a lot of time to strategize and make plans.”

  The whole room was buzzing and several journalists signaled that they had questions.

  “Hunter, what is it like for you to be roommates with your captain?”

  “As I said, I have no complaints.”

  I could tell he was trying to be respectful of me and not give too much away.

  “And for you, Emanuela, what’s it like for you to live with an Nman?”

  With a bubbling feeling inside, I looked around the room. “It’s been great and I’ve learned a lot about myself in the process. The thing is that we all know that I’m not the nicest Motlander and my style of communication can be… ehh… direct. But with Hunter it doesn’t matter. He never gets offended and even when I’m at my worst, he doesn’t try to fix or change me. That’s why I feel like I can relax around him. Hunter is…” I turned to look at him and he looked interested to hear how I was going to finish that sentence.

  “Well, the truth is that Hunter is everything I didn’t know I needed in my life.”

  His smile grew and he was just about to say something when I continued, “That’s why I’m excited that we’re more than just friends.”

  I laughed a little when Hunter straightened in his seat with his eyes widening.

  “What do you mean that you’re more than his friend?” a journalist called out but I was looking only at Hunter.

  “Ask me,” I mouthed to him.

  “You sure?” Hunter’s eyes were glowing as we ignored the question from the press.

  Amy held up her hands. “One at a time, please.”

  “What did you mean that you’re more than friends?” someone repeated.

  Still looking at Hunter, who seemed to be in a state of shock, I answered, “Yesterday, I was close to giving Hunter a promise but he insisted that I should think about it and give him my final answer today.”

  Hunter no longer seemed to register the journalists as he moved to the edge of his seat and turned his body to me. When he spoke his tone of voice was full of disbelief and awe. “You’ll marry me?”

  “Yes.”

  “For real?”

  “Yes, Hunter. I’ll marry you.” I laughed with joy and cupped his handsome face. His eyes were still wide open and blinking as if he couldn’t fathom what had just happened.

  “Come here.” I reached out my arms and he stood up and pulled me into a tight hug.

  “Thank you. I mean it, Ema, thank you.” He kept repeating it while holding me in his arms like he never wanted to let me go again.

  More questions rained down on us and eventually he released the hug but kept his arm around my waist.

  “Emanuela, do you know when the wedding will be?”

  “No. How could I?” I laughed. “We just decided to marry.”

  An older journalist had deep frown lines on his forehead. “Aren’t you afraid of committing to Hunter?”

  “No, on the contrary. I feel excited and giddy inside.”

  “Hunter, do you think Emanuela has been inspired by seeing so many other couples when you took her home with you?”

  “Yes, I think so, but you’ll have to ask her.”

  “Was that why you brought her to your sister’s wedding? Did you hope that she would get the wedding fever that we’ve seen take hold in young women around the world?”

  Hunter shook his head. “No, I brought her because I enjoy her company and I wanted her to meet my sister and friends and to see the Northlands for herself.”

  “Hunter, did you come to the Motherlands to find a woman to marry?”

  “No. But it feels like it was meant to happen.” Hunter squeezed my waist and radiated with happiness. “I’ve been in love with Emanuela for a while now and having her accept my marriage proposal is a huge victory.”

  Some of the journalists in the room laughed. “Bigger than today’s game?”

  “Of course. Way bigger.”

  A female reporter was smiling widely. “Emanuela, are you planning to have children and if so, how will that affect your career?”

  “Children will have to wait. As I said earlier, we’re going to focus on winning the championship with the Dolphins.”

  Some of the journalists turned to Amy. “How do you feel about having a married couple on your team?”

  Amy kept brushing her hair back in a nervous movement. “Well, that’s certainly a new situation, but I suppose as long as they play like they did today, I can’t complain, can I?”

  After the press meeting, Hunter and I flew back home in his hybrid. He put it on automatic and we made love in the luxurious cabin.

  This time, Hunter gave me oral. He was attentive to my small moans and a very fast learner, leaving me with a giddy grin on my face from my intense orgasm. I rewarded him with intense love making in the drone and got to finish on top with him sitting in one of the seats. With sweaty bodies from the sex, and him still inside me, I sighed and rested my cheek on his shoulder. Hunter’s arms were folded around my back and he closed his eyes.

  “Why do I always get tired after sex?”

  My eyes were closed too, and feeling sated and relaxed I soaked up the amazing feeling from our lovemaking. “Because you’re weak and out of shape.”

  “Wow.” Hunter used his thumb to open one of my closed eyelids. “When did teasing and provoking a man twice your size become your new favorite sport?”

  Pushing his hand away, I gave him a smug smile. “It’s not. Making love to him is my new favorite sport.”

  Hunter chuckled. “It’s a good thing we Nmen are so interested in sports then.”

  “Yes, it is.” I pulled back and smiled at him. “Especially if we’re going to be mates for life and start our own team…”

  “You mean a family?”

  “Yes.”

  Hunter had a wide lazy grin on his face. “Only, I’ll be the captain this time.”

  “Sure, when I’m not around.”

  He pinched me and gave a sexy grin. “Do you need me to put you in a full nelson again?”

  “No. But there will be equality in our family. I’ll listen to you and you will listen to me. No more running into the woods to play hero.”

  Hunter opened his mouth to speak, but I covered it. “Do you want to be my teammate for life or not?”

  Pulling my hands away, Hunter cupped my face and looked deep into my eyes. “That’s a big fucking yes.”

  EPILOGUE

  The Northlands

  Ten Months Later – August 2448

  Emanuela

  “Are you enjoying the summer break?” Willow and I sat leaning against a tree enjoying the shade on the w
arm August day.

  “Yes,” I answered. “I mean, as champions we still have to do a lot of publicity events around the world, but the fans are nice and the work is less intense than during the season.”

  “That’s what Hunter told me. He enjoys traveling and seeing places that are different from the Northlands.”

  “He says that, but then every chance he gets he wants to come back here. He was like a child when we crossed the border today.”

  “That’s because he wants to spend time with his niece.” Willow’s smile was soft and warm as her eyes lowered to the baby breastfeeding by her chest.

  “How has Solomon taken being a father?”

  “Good. Except for our discussions about breastfeeding.”

  “He doesn’t want you to breastfeed?”

  “Oh, he does, it’s just that he wants me to hide away when I do it.” Willow used her nose to point in the direction of Solomon, who was still sitting at the table where we’d had lunch. “He hates that any of the other men might get a peek at my breast.”

  “What? That’s silly; breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world, and it’s so beautiful.” My hand caressed little Nora’s blonde hair and for a second the six-week-old baby stopped sucking.

  “She’s precious, don’t you think?” The love radiating from Willow as she marveled at her baby daughter made her glow.

  “You’re both beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Willow kept her eyes on her baby daughter. “And how is married life treating you?”

  “Good. Hunter and I are still banging heads over cultural things but we’re good at working it out, and I love him to death.”

  Willow looked over to her brother with a soft smile on her face. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that he found you. I’ve never seen Hunter this happy.”

  For a while we sat without speaking, just taking in the people talking around the table, the children playing tag, and Mila and Jonah sitting on the porch by the house talking and laughing.

  “It’s such a beautiful day.”

  “Yes, we got lucky with the weather. Solo was worried it might rain.” Nora was done breastfeeding and Willow covered her breast and shifted her daughter’s position. We both laughed when she gave a loud burp.

  When Willow and I laughed, Solomon called out to us, “What’s so funny?”

  “Nora just gave an impressive burp.”

  That comment had Solomon grinning. “That’s right, honey, you show them you’re a real Northlander.”

  Just to underline that statement, Leo hammered a hand to his chest and burped out loud too. “Any decent man can do it on command.”

  Raven took a deep gulp of air, leaned her head back, and pushed it out in a small burp.

  Hunter grinned. “That was the saddest attempt at a burp I’ve ever heard.”

  Raven tried again and this time it was a bit louder.

  “You need to practice a lot more if you want to be taken seriously among your colleagues in the police force.”

  “Why? Who’s going to notice if all I ever get to do is sort paperwork?”

  “Don’t complain, kiddo, we all had to start somewhere.” Leo turned his attention on Mila and Jonah. “How long has Mila been talking to him?”

  Magni, who sat at the other end of the table with Laura, looked up. “What did you say?”

  Leo threw a nod in the direction of Mila and Jonah. “I’m just wondering if something is going on between them.”

  “Hardly. He’s a Motlander.” Magni straightened his shoulders. “Mila will have her tournament in less than six months. Jonah is just a good friend.”

  Leo looked back to the house. “I guess.”

  “You’re still fighting for her, right?” Magni asked Leo.

  “That’s the plan. Unless she doesn’t want me to.”

  “Why don’t you go ask her?” Laura encouraged. “It’s always a good idea to build a relationship before the tournament. It might make your chances better of being chosen.”

  “I might do that.” Leo left but he didn’t go to the cabin; instead he sat down next to Zasquash, who was on his back soaking up sun not far from the table.

  “Raven, you did your first year at the academy. How has it been?” I asked.

  “Fine.” The stubborn expression on her lips told me that it had been anything but fine.

  “How long do you have to stay at the school?”

  “It’s two more years, but part of that time, I’ll be doing practical work. Right now, I’m working down at district seven.”

  “Do you like it?”

  She shrugged. “I was hoping to see some action, but Leo made me go over old dusty unsolved cases and categorize them. It means spending all my days in an office, which is mind-numbingly boring.” Her eyes went to Magni but he was in conversation with Boulder and Archer. “I want to get my hands dirty.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  Raven leaned closer to me and lowered her voice. “I’m going to drive Leo crazy until he gives in and lets me do some real police work.”

  “Oh, okay.” I wasn’t sure what she meant exactly, but the smug smile on her lips made me sure she would be good at it.

  “You want to come sit in the sun?” Raven got up and gestured for me to follow as she walked over to where Zasquash and Leo were. “Hey, boys, mind if we join you?”

  Zasquash lifted his head and gave Leo a puzzled expression. “Did your rookie just call us boys?”

  Leo rolled his eyes. “I’m afraid Raven still has a lot to learn about respecting authority.” He looked up at her. “You can start by addressing me as Sir or Inspector. I am your boss, after all.”

  “So you keep telling me.” With a confident swagger, Raven walked right past Leo, who was sitting with his legs stretched in front of him, leaning back on his arms. As she was close she touched his man bun and he must have expected it, because his hand flew up and caught her wrist.

  “Seriously, Raven. What do I have to do to make you understand that I’m not your friend? I’m your boss.”

  She looked amused. “Lots of people work together and are still friends.”

  “Maybe, but you and I are only colleagues.”

  “But we move in the same circles.”

  “No, we don’t.”

  Her tone was teasing. “We’re both here, and this isn’t work, so I’d say that we move in the same circles.”

  “It’s better if we have a professional relationship only.”

  “All right, boss. Whatever you say, but you’re missing out on one fun and fabulous friend.” Unaffected by Leo’s rejection, Raven found a spot in the sun and lay back, her arms behind her head.

  I followed her example and sat down with the rest of them.

  Zasquash gave a low chuckle. “It’s okay, Leo already has me and Solo. We’re fucking fabulous friends.”

  Leo gave a small groan that made Zasquash lift his head again. “What was that?”

  “You used to be fabulous, but that was before you married. When was the last time you came out to a bar with me?”

  Raven turned on her side and looked at Leo. “See? I’ll go to a bar with you. I’ll bet I’m a lot more fun than them anyway.”

  Leo’s tone was flat. “No, thanks. My idea of fun is not to get in brawls because I have to keep men away from you.”

  “Ahh, but you forget that I can fight and take care of myself. I don’t need a knight in shining armor to rescue me.”

  “I never said I was a knight.”

  There was laughter in Raven’s voice when she spoke. “For all it’s worth, Leo, you would have made a great knight. All serious and stern with your man bun under your helmet. I’ll bet the ladies would have loved you and cheered you on when you fought for them.”

  “It’s Mr. Da Vinci.” Leo frowned and looked to me. “You see what I have to deal with?”

  “Oh, come on, grumpy, I’m only flirting with you because you’re immune to it. I swear one day I’ll make you s
mile.”

  Leo pulled back a little and gave Raven a skeptical glance. “You’re flirting with me?”

  She was still on her back with her eyes closed and a smile on her lips. “Either that or I’m messing with you. It’s one or the other.”

  Shaking his head, Leo looked away. “You’re impossible.”

  “But kind of cute at the same time, don’t you think?”

  “No. You’re nothing but a heavy burden on my shoulders. You have no respect for authority and you’re an expert at driving men insane.”

  “That’s so sweet of you to say. I do my best.”

  Zasquash chuckled. “Raven, give the man a chance. He looks like he’s ready to strangle someone in frustration.”

  “Come on, Leo doesn’t know how lucky he is to have my youthful energy in his life. He won’t admit it, but I bring entertainment to his boring existence and if not for me he would be nothing but an old grumpy man.”

  “I’m not old. I’m thirty-one.”

  “Maybe, but you act like you’re sixty.”

  Leo made a sound between a snort and a sigh. “And you act like you’re twelve.”

  “Like I said, it’s my amazing youthful energy.”

  “You mean childlike,” he grunted and that made Raven break into a brilliant smile,

  “Aww, thanks, Leo. Aren’t you just throwing compliments around all of a sudden? I’m getting the feeling you’re the one flirting with me now.”

  “I’m definitely not flirting with you.” Leo’s eyes darted in the direction of Raven’s dad Alexander Boulder, who was still in deep conversation with Magni and Archer. “I’m your boss. I would never flirt with you.”

  Raven sat up and shrugged. “That’s such a shame. It would have made working for you so much more exciting.”

  When Raven got up and walked away with a sway in her hips, Leo averted his eyes from her backside and ran a hand through his hair. “That woman almost makes me regret joining the police force.”

  I gave him a sympathetic glance. “Hunter said that Raven always had a wicked sense of humor. Maybe you’ll get used to it.”

  Leo’s eyebrows were pinched together. “I swear, someday, Raven is gonna meet someone who doesn’t know she’s just messing around and she’ll be in trouble.”